Weatherization

Page Content

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is a free service that is designed to reduce energy costs for low-income families by improving the energy efficiency of their home. Grant funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Energy and state sources for administering the program.

WAP operates throughout the year and is a statewide program overseen by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, and administered by local agencies working under contract to DNREC's Division of Energy and Climate.

What we do:The process starts with a comprehensive energy audit conducted by a trained professional. The auditor will visit your home, diagnose the home’s energy profile, and may prescribe the installation of one or more of the following measures:

Air sealing, caulking, glazing, weather-stripping and crack patching;

Replacement of broken glass;

Attic, wall and floor insulation, and ventilation;

Seal heating and cooling ducts;

Insulation for hot water heaters, and hot and cold water pipes;

Other items recommended by the auditor

These reports provide background information on program and financial monitoring by the US Department of Energy and updates to the General Assembly.

Following the audit, an independent contractor is sent to your home and will install the required measures. Following installation, another contractor is sent to the home to inspect and approve the work. Participation in the program requires some investment of time on multiple days by the homeowner, and someone 18 or over must be present when contractors are in your home.

Heating system annual maintenance can also be paid for by the weatherization program, and every customer is provided education materials and information on how to conserve energy, make your home more comfortable, and how to reduce fuel costs.

Application process:You must first contact the agency for your county of residence (see below) to set-up an application appointment. Before your appointment, you must gather the necessary documentations for the scheduled appointment.

The Weatherization Assistance Program does not have sufficient resources to serve all customers requesting assistance. Once you’re deemed eligible, your name will be placed on a waiting list that prioritizes households based on need, the age and special needs of residents, and annual funding levels. Not all applicants are served in any one program year. Applicants who are not provided services within 12 months, must reapply every year to verify income eligibility.

Eligibility: To be eligible for assistances, households must meet eligibility guidelines:

The Weatherization Assistance Program is an energy conservation program. The WAP is not a home repair program. We cannot use our resources for home improvement or other repairs to homes. We can only do minor repairs when such repairs are required to protect the energy conservation measures that need to be installed. We do not routinely replace windows or doors or home furnaces. We also do not install, service or repair air conditioners.